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A Franklin County foundation that’s been an advocate for the better treatment of animals could be closing after nearly 15 years. SPCA of Franklin County founder Rebecca Rodgers has announced that unless she’s able to find at least 10 volunteers to carry on, she’ll have to shut down at the end of the month.

ROCKY MOUNT — Barring any unforeseen circumstances, a Franklin County resident will be taking a seat in the General Assembly today. On Tuesday, the House District 7 Executive Committee voted to nominate Bobbie Richardson to fulfill the unexpired term of Angela Bryant. Gov. Pat McCrory was expected to sign the appointment order on Wednesday.

Although it’s winter, you might now appreciate that from the types of weather Mother Nature has been providing Franklin County in recent days. But, despite the absence of snow and ice, the typical wintertime fronts that have been moving across the state have created some interesting cloud patterns that, especially when combined with just the right conditions at sunset, have created some absolutely stunning sights such as this one last Friday evening.

FRANKLIN COUNTY — Investigators arrested a man with Franklinton ties, linking him to vehicle and residential break-ins in a multitude of jurisdictions. Kadarly W. McLeod, 21, was being held in the Franklin County Jail in lieu of a $150,000 bond this week. Franklin County Sheriff’s Det. Wayne Daniels said McCleod is suspected in a string of thefts dating back to at least early November, where he was suspected of aiding and abetting in a larceny in Youngsville.

A 47-year-old Youngsville woman was killed in a single-vehicle wreck recently. According to a report by Trooper D.R. Delcastilho, Yvette R. Kennedy was driving south along N.C. 96 when she crossed the center line just after 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 3.

One of the county’s most historic places will open its doors to the public this weekend, giving visitors a photographic glimpse into the Civil War. The Franklin County library has teamed up with the Person Place Preservation Society and the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources to bring a Civil War exhibit to the county.

LOUISBURG — At their December meeting, Youngsville commissioners said the matter of a utility transfer was in the hands of Franklin County leaders. Franklin County commissioners apparently dribbled that ball behind closed doors on Monday night, but did not take a shot at resolving the matter in public.

OPINIONS/EDITORIALS

While viewing pictures of this country’s deadliest war, thoughts of this country’s Civil Unrest weren’t far from my mind. From 1861 to 1865, for four years, three weeks and six days, this country was embroiled in a bitter battle that pitted brother against brother, cousin against cousin and communities against one another.

Now that Christmas has come and gone ­ and Santa and his reindeer are safely (we hope!) back at the North Pole — word comes that some folks in Washington, D.C., of all places, found the perfect gift for their returning boss. And that gift is even sparking a few ideas on the local scene.

Dear editor: I would like to encourage all to see the new movie “Lincoln.” Surprisingly, while not totally historically accurate, it does a very good job of emphasizing the struggle that took place by the Republicans in Congress to pass the 13th Amendment (Abolition of slavery), against the vehement opposition of the Democrat party.

Dear editor: Enough with the posturing and grandstanding, let’s get the Edgar Owens Park on the ground already. This process has already been drawn out entirely too long. It’s a wonderful gift that Mr Owens bestowed upon Franklin County and it’s absurd it hasn’t happened yet.

Dear editor:The 2nd Amendment states “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” As you read it, there are four parts: 1) requires each free state to have a well regulated militia; 2) the job of the militia is to maintain the security of a free state; 3) the right of the people to keep and bear arms; 4) shall not be infringed.

OBITUARIES

LOUISBURG - Funeral services for Christine Stokes, 97, who died Friday, Jan. 4, 2013, will be held Wednesday, Jan. 9, at 11 a.m. at Hickory Grove Baptist Church, with the Rev. Bobby Thomas officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

MANHATTAN, N.Y. - Funeral services for Crayton Christine Morgan Washington, 87, who died Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013, will be held at 11 a.m. today (Wednesday, Jan. 9) in the Richardson Funeral Home chapel, with the Rev. Dan Lilly officiating. Burial will follow in the Nelson Chapel Church cemetery.

WARRENTON - Kenneth Raymond Stevens, Sr., 74, of Warrenton, died Saturday, January 5, 2013, at UNC Chapel Hill. Kenneth retired from the US Air Force after 21 years of service as an aircraft mechanic and aircraft scheduler, touring Vietnam for one year. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Stevens, Sr. and Alvina Knight Stevens; his brothers, Robert Stevens, Jr., and Edward “Pete” Stevens; and his two nephews, Malcolm Stevens and Edward Stevens.

SPORTS

LOUISBURG -- So much for the theory that a three-week layoff would squelch the momentum of the Louisburg College men’s basketball squad. Instead, the Hurricanes returned from Christmas Break as motivated as ever during last Saturday’s non-region home event against an overmatched Tidewater Community College squad.

LOUISBURG -- Maybe the getting-healthy Franklinton Red Rams are saving their best work of the season for Northern Carolina Conference boys basketball action. Beset by injuries early in the campaign, the Red Rams are now revving in the NCC, including a 70-60 decision over Louisburg last Friday night in front of a near-capacity crowd at Taylor Center on the campus of Louisburg College.

FOUL FEELING. Louisburg High School’s Alkia Johnson (right) was called for an offensive foul during this play as part of last Friday’s girls basketball matchup with Franklinton at Louisburg College’s Taylor Center.

LOUISBURG -- What was expected to be a tight game only provided further evidence to the improvement currently being shown by the Louisburg High School girls basketball squad. Taking on county rival Franklinton, the Lady Warriors roared to a 22-point halftime cushion and never looked back en route to taking out the Lady Rams by a surprisingly one-sided 38-22 score.

BUNN -- Given the early-season improvement displayed by Northwest Halifax, last Friday’s showdown with the Vikings was destined to be an important one for the Bunn High School boys basketball squad. But the Wildcats passed the test going away, using a strong defense to defeat the Vikings by a 50-26 margin at the Bunn Dome.

BUNN -- Bunn High School’s 2013 baseball season will begin Feb. 27 on the road against the Northern Nash Knights. First pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on the NNHS campus in Red Oak. As part of the campaign, the Wildcats will participate in the annual Tarboro Easter Classic from April 3-5 at the historic Tarboro Municipal Stadium.

RALEIGH -- North Carolina State University baseball coach Elliott Avent, a former Louisburg College assistant, announced an early signing class of 11, continuing to build on the recruiting momentum generated by an exciting Regional Championship and Super Regional berth at No. 1 ranked Florida last spring. The Wolfpack’s 2013 class includes Wilmington Hoggard’s highly sought after pitcher Joe O’Donnell, considered by many to be the top prospect in the state.

SCHOOLS/EDUCATION

Twenty-five cadets graduated from the Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) course at Vance-Granville Community College during a Dec. 18 ceremony held in the Civic Center on Main Campus. After passing the state certification exam, all are authorized to work in any law enforcement agency in North Carolina.

The Coats for Christmas campaign has ended with over 200 coats given to those in need, including: Safe Space, Care and Share, the county’s Senior Citizens centers and YABA’s Christmas cheer program, according to Wayne Champion, coordinator for the campaign. Champion thanked Village Cleaners for their support again this year as well as the people that donated and helped with the project.

A Franklinton woman who fell asleep at the wheel was arrested on drug charges. According to investigators, Franklinton Officers Bennett Manson and A.J. Bishop responded to the Wilco Hess the evening of Jan. 4 after getting a call of a suspicious person. According to the report, a woman, later identified as Angelica Dickerson, was sitting in her vehicle at the pump for about 15 minutes when an employee called 911.

For A Brighter Future, Inc. recently became the recipient of a $3,500 grant from Food Lion Charitable Foundation. The $3,500 donation will be used for food purchases For A Brighter Future is an after-school program which provides tutoring, mentoring and career counseling for students in grades 9-12 in Franklin County.

United Way and its partners delivered hundreds of turkeys in time for holiday meals. Thanks to donations from Youngsville businessman E. Carroll Joyner, the United Way was able to provide hundreds of families with turkeys this past Christmas as part of its fall food drive. Joyner is the primary donor, but he isn’t the only one.

The UWFC turkey program receives support from Hillridge Farm in Youngsville each year. John Hill, above left, helps store the turkeys that go to the Youngsville Area Business Association’s Christmas Cheer program, which was on Dec. 15. YABA received 15 cases of the turkeys. With Hill on delivery day were UWFC board member Michael Schriver, right, and Betty Craig, UWFC Community Campaign co-chair, not pictured.

Dr. E. Carroll Joyner, left, was honored recently by the North Carolina Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals for his body of philanthropic work, including support to the United Way of Franklin County Feeding Franklin food pantry network – which includes a donation of 324 turkeys this year. He was nominated for the pantry contributions.